I greatly appreciate your tribute to the exposure of the unorganized and undoubtedly dumb founded SGA. Students need to know the truth and you are the Tom Brokaw of NRCC. Corruption is always a wonderful disease to exploit. It is actually you, not the SGA, which has inspired me to become involved in the activities of the student body. I am more influenced than ever to exploit the cluelessness of the monkeys of SGA.  Thanks again for your great journalism!

                                                                                                                                                Signed,

                                                                                                                                              Paul Pinnacle

Wood, made aware of Sclafani remaining a senator, thought it “Very wrong. He’s accused of manipulating the vote and as senator he is still receiving SGA financial aid. He didn’t do anything as president and presumably won’t do anything as senator so he should be stripped of position and aid, and let him try again in the next election.”

The SGA Constitution in Article II, C commands the SGA

“To act as a channel of communication and cooperation between the students, faculty, and administration concerning the opinions and attitudes of the student body in order to achieve mutual agreement toward the betterment of the college.”

Article IV, section B4c further dictates the senate “to keep [the] student body informed through their representatives.” These mandates are clearly avoided. Our government possesses no progress board, inadequate frequency for town hall meetings and only updates their website with minutes– morsels of information oblivious to unfamiliar readers. Weekly interviews with students exist but only within the lounge for a goal of 15-30 people.

While the SGA has dispensed a survey concerning students’ preferred methods of finding SGA related information, the survey represents the aforementioned confusion. It reveals a desire to skip utilizing every possible venue of communication by focusing on a few of them, and the fact it possesses the concern of a project proves our SGA has confused requisites with long-term work. A survey can not compare in place of practicing all advertising methods. Holding town hall meetings is also considered a project, along with student interviews, things which directly qualify as mandatory methods of keeping “the student body informed through their representatives.”

One may argue creating methods of communication is a worthy long-term project. However, that argument loses strength when considering the effort required in communicating. If you sit and write information already known, such as the SGA’s projects’ progress, it will not take a hefty amount of time. Something akin to Jake has completed so-and-so or Jasmine has not had a chance to do this is fine. The only real concern is locating places to post the reports, which would not take elaborate planning to discover or create. Concerning town hall meetings, if you infrequently commence them, there is not enough work or affect involved to claim it as a project. The low caliber of student interviews is self-evident.

Our SGA’s insubordination continues in Article IV, section B4h. It orders the senate “To sponsor social functions.” Our SGA’s ability to sponsor is questionable using a current budget of $200. Because of an absent cafeteria, swindling someone’s wallet with higher prices on lower quality food becomes a more accessible reality and a better fundraiser. Although, funds built from Little Caesar’s pizza sales and BBQ cookouts will not provide sufficient influence to help finance a broad base of clubs, contribute to lowering vending prices or encourage fixing broken water fountains. The currency which could bring those changes is silently tucked into the SGA’s pocket: they will receive up to $6,500 in tuition reimbursement this semester for activities mentioned above. Instead of pouring those thousands into a pot for projects, each dollar is spilled into the SGA’s wallet as though they were a real government. The complete reimbursements are not held within the SGA’s current budget, but Ben Kramer guarantees them.

This article in no way discounts kindness the SGA shows to students. Its members gladly participate in blood drives, food sales, occasionally giving free food, helping students sign for classes, disposing trash around NRCC and other gratuitous acts. Though when these actions are properly evaluated, they are Good Samaritan acts and hardly distinguishable from non-elected students donating to a community. This is why students consider their leaders’ devotion to student activities a mere part of the status quo. Unless each SGA member pursues a worthy project, an assignment conceivable through the prestige and power of being a government official, they are merely Campus Care Bears which receive inappropriate payment.

This article also recognizes appropriate projects. Returning VA21, a group whose lobbying gives colleges lower book prices, is an outstanding example of worthy, frugal assignments. Creating a shuttle to travel between NRCC’s main campus and its mall site, should it ever be approached with utmost celerity, is another good illustration. A Relay for Life, too, is familiar with the executive requirement “to supplement the instructional programs (classes) by providing a variety of meaningful, educational, cultural, and social experiences for both the day and night students” in Bylaw Section 1, E3, though a senator conducts it. Pursuing a program to help students in middle college also suggests long-term worth.

The fact remains, regardless of the four projects well mentioned, that any good our SGA can do is overshadowed by its failure to rise above the status quo. I liken it to a eunuch. He might occasionally bring joy, but he’ll never produce anything.

President Melissa Kittinger-Surratt continues to clean around NRCC, throwing discarded trash in the garbage can. She also states that the mentorship program, a group of people who offer general support, lacks volunteer interest, but will continue supporting it until change occurs. Kittinger-Surratt has expressed interest in assisting the creation of a food pantry, and idea sprung by Mindy Anderson and Alicia Woods, something which will give students free food under someone’s discretion.

[Editor’s Note: The food Pantry is an idea that is still in progress. The program has not yet been approved.]

Vice President Emily Polan said she is “mainly in the research and gather materials stage of [bringing vegetarian options to our vending machines].” Polan continued, “Sometime in late March or early April, look for some vegetarian activism in the lounge!”

Secretary Meagan Willis has denied that she will hold weekly town hall meetings, saying, “Believe it or not it is a lot of work to pull together everything and everyone. I do not have the time to do all the work every week.” Willis confirmed that she would lead a meeting on March 24th, though she admitted “it didn’t seem to be very important to students last semester.” When asked about other potential projects, Willis said “I do not really want to mention other projects at this time. I don’t want to say I will do something and then not do it for whatever reason.”

In an attempt to refine communication between the SGA and students, Senator Jason Surratt has released a survey. The survey asks students what reporting methods are best for the SGA to utilize. Surratt also aspires to create and sponsor student activities, particularly within golf.

Treasurer James Kittinger has continued interviewing students with Stacy Gibbs’ and Meagan Willis’ assistance. He stated, “I am also doing the St. Patrick’s Day costume contest being held on Friday March 13th, 2009 in the student lounge from 12:00pm to 12:30 [and] there will be three prizes given for best costume.”

Senator Cameron Sonnenburg has investigated NRCC’s lack of security. After revealing the mall site has all the essential wiring for security cameras, he admitted uncovering little about NRCC’s campus. Sonnenburg said, “One thing I’ve discovered is that security is not a high priority for NRCC’s officials.” Between the lounge renovation and buying new computers, affording a safer school takes a back seat. Sonnenburg also expressed interest in volunteering to help install security cameras.

Senator Stacy Gibbs and Student Aid Kristi Crawford are co-captains of a Relay for Life team. Concerning advertisement, Gibbs said, “We will hold interest meetings for the student body on Wed 2/25 (1:00 pm) and Thu 2/26 (2:00 pm).”

Senator Joey Sclafani has not chosen a project yet.

Senator Tim Herzog said, “I haven’t worked on the transportation project yet this semester.” He conveys that weather and illness have interrupted his efforts. Herzog, recently appointed representative of the mall site, added, “I’ve had Ben send out a email letting people know that I’m on campus to field all of the C’burg questions and concerns. I’ve already received the first email and have started addressing their concerns.” When asked about these concerns, Herzog refused to relate them because “they are not something that I can talk about until I have answers to the problems.”

“Tim and I are discussing times, because he has another time allotment he thinks will work and I didn’t get time to talk to him fully Monday [Feb 9] about it all,” confessed Senator Aundrea Scott. Concerning the transit system which will drive between NRCC’s mall site and campus, Scott said, “I’ll email you as soon as I talk to him since he is doing the legwork of this project having prior knowledge of VT’s bus system and people he knows helping with this.” Since this statement was made, February 12th, an email has not been sent to the Knight Rider regarding this topic.

Senator Sarah Polan said she is “working to gather a contingency from New River to attend VA21 events in Richmond,” adding, “I have gained permission from Mark Rowh to continue and I am now in the planning stages.” VA21 is a group which lobbies for student related issues such as lower textbook prices.

Senator Chris Henley could not be reached for a comment.

Your new executive office contains:

President Melissa Kittinger-Surratt

Vice President Emily Polan

Treasurer James Kittinger

Secretary Meagan Willis

Treasurer James Kittinger has chosen to serve students by talking with them. Once a week he travels the campus, speaking with students about problems and recording their solutions. Kittinger also hopes to conduct more student activities like a St. Patrick’s Day party.

Aside from helping Kittinger with student interviews, Senator Meagan Willis will conduct a town hall meeting every week. She estimates 11:30 am Wednesday for a set time, though admits it may change.

Senator Stacy Gibbs, also an interviewer, has not yet chosen a project. When she decides a project, it will likely involve community service.

President Joey Sclafani will function as a link between students and the committee reshaping Martin Hall’s lounge. By distributing a survey among peers and presenting data before the committee, Sclafani hopes to represent popular student opinion.

Senators Aundrea Scott and Timothy Herzog are working on an endeavor from fall semester: the transit system. Both senators hope to begin a shuttle service which drives between NRCC‘s campus and its mall site. To judge its effectiveness, trial runs will more than likely commence during the evening. Scott also expresses interest in opening a chapter for College Democrats of America.

Secretary Emily Polan has targeted a vegetarian endeavor. She would like more meat free food added to NRCC’s vending machines.

Senator Sarah Polan is returning VA21 to NRCC. VA21 lobbies for lower textbook prices and discusses college issues such as gun rights and security.

Vice-president Melissa Kittinger-Surratt has commenced three long-term undertakings. She currently helps develop a mentor program, a group of people which offer general advice and support. Campus Clean-up, a project which removes trash from NRCC‘s campus, will be continued from fall semester. Her third venture includes driving people from Radford to the campus.

Senator Cameron Sonnenburg will try convincing NRCC to hire a resource officer and install more security cameras.

The SGA has stated in several meetings that their interest lies solely within the students’ well being. To communicate this they maintain an open door policy with students, inviting criticism and advice through their website: http://www.nr.edu/sga/index.htm.

The first thing I noticed in Conquest was the lack of enemies to fight. Only 16 units, A.I. or player-controlled, are allowed in one battle. This changed the game from epic to slightly disappointing. Instead of feeling like one of thousands of soldiers, I felt like one of sixteen officers in an arena. Battlefront II had 24, 32 or 64 units on the battlefield at one time. Though this is the first Conquest game, would it have been a stretch to include 8 more units?

Having 8 units per team isn’t exhilarating by itself, but the class selection renders it tolerable. Conquest allows you to choose between four classes: warriors, archers, scouts and mages. Unlike the Battlefront games, you have a reason to play all four.

Battlefront I and II have a superior class: standard infantry. They easily excel in tearing other infantry apart and a well thrown grenade compensates for not employing a demolitionist. Conquest‘s 4 classes have the same chance to kill each other when played to their full potential. Each also has abilities that are preferred in certain circumstances, but are equally valued. Furthermore, all archetypes mesh well. For example, archers can stand inside a mage’s defensive bubble and snipe without worry, and a rogue’s bomb can save anybody from a beat down.

While Conquest has a more balanced selection of classes than Battlefront II, the A.I. has multi-personality disorder. One moment an Uruk-hai swordsman admires the collation of books upon a shelf in Rivendell, the next he trounces your face with a six-foot claymore. A.I. freezes are thankfully rare, though they stir a refreshing humor– unless you set the game on legendary difficulty. Then the A.I. is less funny and more dedicated to violence.

Though armies aren’t vast like the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Conquest includes epic music heard throughout the films. After felling groups of hobbits in the Shire, Howard Shore’s Isengard Unleashed, pounding in fury, really completes the scene. It helps compensate for the grandeur lost with low amounts of soldiers.

Graphics are average. They never charm you into thinking Conquest is real. Don’t worry though, watching people burn in a field of fire is still satisfying.

I rate this game with an 8/10. The actual gameplay is smooth, playing with friends is fun, the music is epic, but you never see massive battles.

How do you register? It’s simple! Go to NRCC’s homepage and look at the lower right part of your screen. You should see an envelope spraying soundwaves. Click on it, follow the instructions and soon you can enjoy extra time with your pillow!

Or follow the provided link.

Senator Stacy Gibbs

Senator Timothy Herzog

Treasurer James Kittinger

Vice President Melissa Kittinger-Surratt

Secretary Emily Polan

Senator Sarah Polan

President Joey Sclafani

Senator Aundrea D. Scott

Senator Cameran Sonnenburg

Senator Jason Surratt

Senator Bruce Walters

Senator Meagan Willis

Appropriate Audience: This movie is rated G, though it’s one of the few movies all families, couples, children and adults can enjoy. The one requirement is that you can appreciate simplicity and a plot that leaves itself for viewer interpretation.

Visuals: It’s Pixar. They’ve produced quality animation since 1979. Once again, they haven’t failed.

Sound and Music: There aren’t many songs in Wall-E, but what melodies exist are very subtle. Each note flows with its scene, nothing slips out of place. The only noticeable, reoccurring theme comes from a recording of Hello, Dolly.

The sound effects are accurate and well articulated. Ship engines sound like ship engines, echoes ring like echoes and sounds rarely deviate from their practical origin. I can only recall one instance when they do: a cockroach makes a modest “poing” after being flattened.

Dialogue: Wall-E and Eve don’t possess an extensive vocabulary, and dialogue is nonexistent for the first half of the movie. But it works. Immersion is easier when an audience is required to observe instead of watch. Character animation takes the place of dialogue, and Pixar does it perfectly.

Warning: Spoilers Ahead: This movie gushes delicious, believable satire. It reveals that removing life’s strains and necessities will demolish value in anything important.

Depth:

People aboard the Axiom don’t need to walk, hit a tennis ball, read a book or pull a straw to their lips: they have machines for all those activities, even raising children! Pixar has satirized the present culture of technology by projecting it into the future, predicting what we’ll become if iPods and computers continue dominating our lives.

Wall-E ultimately becomes the savior of man-kind’s humanity, reintroducing humans to a harsh life on Earth where they’re required to walk and look away from the computer screen. Isn’t it ironic that a robot does that?

Ending: Wall-E ends with happy scenes, but they’re questionable. Would Wall-E really have been fixable? If plants are rare on Earth, would the atmosphere have enough oxygen to support the humans like it did? Would the humans really have been able to walk?

Several questions exist, but they’re only nit-picks. The ending is still enjoyable, especially if you embrace the larger picture of what happened.

Overall: Above all the satire and humor, Wall-E’s adventures teach us an important moral: At the end of the day, everything is secondary to the power of holding hands. That’s worth watching again and again.

Keep Wall-E in your movie cabinet for life. You won’t be disappointed.